Vard designs cable layer for Japan's Kokusai Cable Ship

SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 — Vard Design has won a contract from Sri Lanka's Colombo Dockyard for the design of a cable lay vessel under construction at the the shipyard for Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd, Japan.

The Vard 9 01 design vessel measures 113.1 m x 21.5 m and is tailor-made for efficient installation and repair of subsea telecom cables. Additionally, it is prepared for the expanding power cable installation market by incorporating a high capacity below-deck cable carousel.

Developed in close cooperation with the shipowner, the shipyard and key suppliers, the vessel will add a new level of efficiency and capability to the cable laying market in Japan.

Built in accordance with ClassNK and Japanese flag regulations anf all relevant international safety and environmental standards, the vessel will feature diesel electric propulsion, DP2 positioning and large cable tanks combined with a 2,000 ton capacity carousel. Total cable carrying capacity is 5,000 tons.

The vessel will also have a dual cable lay system, A-frame, hydro plow and trenching ROV.

Erik Haakonsholm, Senior Vice President in Vard Design, says, 'Vard Design has designed 185 specialized vessels for shipowners and shipbuilders all over the world. We are proud to be selected by Kokusai Cable Ship together with Colombo Dockyard to design their new flagship. Our first cable layer of Vard 9 01 design was built by Vard in 2014, and the new vessel for operations in the Japanese market is a further evolution of this vessel, with additional capacity and power cable installation features.'

The keel laying ceremony for the vessel was held in Colombo on September 7. Delivery is set for 2019.